10 Reasons Shoppers No Longer Love Target

Target is popular for having trendy products, great deals, and an enjoyable shopping experience, but not everyone thinks so highly of it. While many use it as a way to save more on everyday essentials, people on Reddit often express frustration with the retailer by sharing their honest and diverse opinions. From low stock, higher prices on some products, and lacking customer service, not everyone enjoys shopping at Target.

Here are 10 reasons people no longer love shopping at Target.

Target has good deals, but some Reddit users say prices are higher than those of other stores like Walmart.

One Redditor said, “[P]eople pay $8 for a bag of trail mix that’s 1.99 at Walmart. Literally every name brand is [two times] the price at Target compared to Walmart or Kroger stores.”

While Target is convenient, you may overspend on items you could get less at another store. “Target feels like it’s priced for the ‘convenience’ factor, but I don’t think it’s worth it when I can get the same thing for less somewhere else,” explains one Reddit user.

Another said, “Somewhere like Target who used to be considered good for pricing is just too expensive for me now.”

Some complain that Target's items are often out of stock. Customers find empty shelves, and the items they need aren’t in stock.

One user complained, “The grocery section is always depleted. Forget getting any bakery. They NEVER have any bakery in stock no matter what day I shop. And many of the food items are also consistently out of stock.”

Many customers want eco-friendly options, and Target has fewer choices than other stores. Their use of plastic bags and packaging also sways some consumers away from their products, with one user asking “Has anyone else had difficulty finding the eco-friendly or reusable products at [T]arget recently?”

Some Reddit users complain that using the Target website isn’t easy because it’s hard to navigate. Finding specific items and seeing an accurate availability status isn’t always feasible.

"Have had similar issues with Target's [website] for months if not almost a year at this stage,” complained one Redditor. “I called and chatted with customer service reps on multiple occasions, and even uploaded screenshots of the issues I encountered”

While some Target stores are well organized, Reddit users complain that other locations lack organization. Items are scattered or misplaced, so it’s hard to find what you’re looking for.

One Redditor shared, “I feel like most Target’s have gone downhill in the last year and a half or so and that a totally messy store is more the norm than the exception.”

Many stores offer price matching, and Target is one of them. However, some shoppers have found that it's difficult to take advantage of the policy.

"Third time in a row this has happened to me,” vented one user. “I ask for a price match for an identical item from Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, etc...and then the [customer service representative] in chat tells me that Target doesn't price match competitors sale prices.”

At some Target stores, shoppers find the aisles crowded because they are so narrow. It’s particularly a problem during peak shopping hours, with the walkways being congested.

Shoppers find it hard to navigate the store, with one Reddit user wondering if others have “been able to figure out times to shop that are typically less crowded??”

From long wait times at the checkout to lack of assistance on the sales floor, many Target customers complain that there isn’t reliable customer service at Target. When customers can find staff to assist them, they find that they aren’t knowledgeable enough to help with purchase decisions.

One Redditor vented that as a store employee, "I was trained for like [two days and then they just put me on my own without any notice.”

Target is known for having trendy, affordable clothing, but some customers have found that it doesn’t hold up. Their workwear and business attire are especially problematic. According to a Redditor, “For some reason, everything I touched felt cheap, shrinkable, wrinkleable, and just rough and uncomfortable.”

Target is a favorite store for many people, but not everyone has the same enthusiasm. As these Reddit users explain, there are some reasons people no longer love Target like they used to. From higher prices and lack of stock to inconsistent customer service and crowded aisles, many consumers opt for different stores or online retailers.

While Target has to work on things to appeal to some consumers, you can still save more on everyday essentials by watching for deals at your local store or online. Looking for these deals can help you stretch your Target budget and make sure you’re not overspending.